The Priority List by David Menasche is a true story about the author, a high school teacher who was diagnosed with brain cancer. He lost his vision anThe Priority List by David Menasche is a true story about the author, a high school teacher who was diagnosed with brain cancer. He lost his vision and for the most part, his mobility. Vowing not to go out without a fight, he decides to go on a long trip with the help of his former students. I could tell he must have been a fantastic teacher because his former students go way out of the way to help him. One of the best parts of this book is the written test for many of his former students.

I loved this book--it's a great story! David shows that even now, he is still teaching.(Gerard's review)...more

The Death Class--A True Story About Life by Erika Hayasaki tells about an actual class called "The Death Class" taught by Norma Bowe. The author of thThe Death Class--A True Story About Life by Erika Hayasaki tells about an actual class called "The Death Class" taught by Norma Bowe. The author of this book took the class for four years and there is a three-year waiting list to get into it. The author tells the true stories of four of the students which are fantastic! This is a real page turner for sure. Norma is an excellent teacher who goes above and beyond for her students. Erika tells the stories very well. Put this on your TBR list--it's worth it!(Gerard's review)...more

Chaser--Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words by John W. Pilley is the true story of a Border Collie who knows more than 1,000 woChaser--Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words by John W. Pilley is the true story of a Border Collie who knows more than 1,000 words! John W. Pilley, a professor worked with Chaser and it's really something how he trained her. LOVED it a lot! (Gerard's review)...more

The System--The Glory and Scandal of Big-Time College Football by Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian is an outstanding eye-opening look at college footbThe System--The Glory and Scandal of Big-Time College Football by Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian is an outstanding eye-opening look at college football. It tells how it works and in some cased, how it doesn't work. This goes beyond the scoreboard by dealing with coaches, players, the athletic directors and even people outside the program who make a big impact off the field. I LOVED it and learned a lot! (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)...more

A Chance To Win: Boyhood, Baseball, and the Struggle for Redemption in the Inner City by Jonathan Schuppe is not a baseball book. It is a book about lA Chance To Win: Boyhood, Baseball, and the Struggle for Redemption in the Inner City by Jonathan Schuppe is not a baseball book. It is a book about life in the inner city. Rodney, an ex-con, is left wheelchair bound after a shooting and decides to coach a little league baseball team to give young boys an outlet in an attempt to keep them from his former life of drugs. Most of the book deals with the people with whom Rodney has every day contact. These people have a rough life to say the least, but they never gave up and the part about the baseball team was enjoyable. I think you will like this one, I did. I was rooting for the people to get their lives on track.(Gerard's review)

A Chance To Win--Boyhood, Baseball, and the Struggle for Redemption in the Inner City by Jonathan Schuppe is inspirational non-fiction based on the real lives of several people living in the ghetto in Newark, New Jersey. Rodney, a drug dealer who gets shot, paralyzed from the waist down, winds up in a wheelchair and seeks to make a difference in the lives of others by getting kids to play baseball and get off the streets. That was my favorite part of the book, when it was about their coaching and ballgames.

Unfortunately, that was just a small part of it and most was more about the lives of several of the players and their struggles with their family, particularly their fathers. It was interesting for the most part, but did not care about the part about the mayor and the city. I would classify this as an inspirational read because the message is not to ever give up, no matter what the circumstances. I was somewhat disappointed in the ending and found myself plowing through it near the end. It felt to me like a news article rather than a novel.

It was okay, but could have been better in my opinion. (Karen's review)...more

The Road Out by Deborah Hicks is a true story about a young teacher who teaches seven young girls in a poor neighborhood. The parts of the book I enjoThe Road Out by Deborah Hicks is a true story about a young teacher who teaches seven young girls in a poor neighborhood. The parts of the book I enjoyed were:

(1) When the teacher was trying to get through to the girls, and having a hard time;

(2) How each girl had her own personality and outlook on life; and

(3) The last few chapters that let you know how the girls are doling.

Not a must read, but is a good read. I think any teacher would really enjoy, but even if you aren't a teacher, you may like it. I did! (Gerard's review)...more

Teaching In The Terrordome--Two Years in West Baltimore With Teach For America by Heather Kirn Lanier is the true story of a young teacher's first timTeaching In The Terrordome--Two Years in West Baltimore With Teach For America by Heather Kirn Lanier is the true story of a young teacher's first time teaching in an inner city school in Baltimore called "The Terrordome." As I read this book, I quickly learned why! I enjoyed this book very much because Heather told it as it was and pulled no punches. It is funny, sad, eye opening and real. I think the best pat is the epilogue when she tells you there is no magic wand that can fix the problem, but to her credit, she still wants to try. If you liked this kind of book about real teaching experiences, you will enjoy this one!(Gerard's review)...more

This non-fiction book was a whole lot better than I thought it would be! I always liked Tony Danza from his TV shows. In this book, it's the kids thatThis non-fiction book was a whole lot better than I thought it would be! I always liked Tony Danza from his TV shows. In this book, it's the kids that steal the show. That's not to say that Danza isn't good, he is. I enjoyed this book very much—it made me realize how difficult teaching actually is. I sure wish I could have seen the A&E show about his class, but this book will have to do. Loved it! (Gerard's review)

“I’d Like to Apologize To Every Teacher I Ever Had—My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High” by Tony Danza is an eye opening read that shows what a hard job teaching is. When pushing 60, Tony Danza realized he was running out of time and seriously considered a change of direction. He looked into Teach For America and found out that technically, he qualified. He was approached about making a reality TV show using his class which he and the school agreed to reluctantly. He made it clear there would not be a script to add drama. All he had to teach was one English class for a double period, but that was plenty challenge for him. He also assisted in rounding up students for class and was an assistant football coach. He said his year of teaching was the greatest year of his life because he learned more and worked harder than he ever had. As he engaged his students in learning, he won their respect and grew to really care about them as individuals. I loved the exuberance he felt at the end of the year.

Having been a substitute teacher myself and having taught Sunday School for many years, I really enjoyed this book. I liked how he actually went into what went on in his class and shared his innovative ideas as to how he tried to engage the students. I also liked seeing him grow as a teacher and gain the respect of not only the students, but also the veteran teachers and administrators. It is an inspiring read that anyone connected with education would probably enjoy. (Karen's review) ...more

Lead...for God'Sake! by Todd G. Congwer is a quick inspirational read about a coach struggling with his basketball team who gets advice from Joe, theLead...for God'Sake! by Todd G. Congwer is a quick inspirational read about a coach struggling with his basketball team who gets advice from Joe, the school janitor. Joe had a personal ministry of counseling and I liked how the author used his conversations to get his point across to the reader. This book is philosophical about finding true purpose in life and influencing others based on scripture. It's about being selfless rather than self-centered. It's a wonderful example of what a true Christian looks like who is a genuine follower of Christ.

I enjoyed reading it and agreed with the Christian view about living one's life. I took a lot of notes from this one and would be a great one to add to my library. It reminded me a little bit of The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and Leading With The Heart by Mike Kryzewski, which I loved! I highly recommend it! I think anyone would benefit from reading this book, parent, employer, employee, teacher, coach etc. (Karen's review)

Lead For God's Sake by Todd G. Congwer is a must read! Wow, oh Wow! What an outstanding book! I got the idea to order this book from reading an article about Urban Meyer, the new Ohio State football coach. He mentioned that he loved this book and so did I! It tells the story of a frustrated high school basketball coach having trouble both with his team and his home life. He gets help from the most unlikely person you would imagine.

The ending was great, but I hated to see it end. This is a must read for all coaches and people in leadership roles. I feel real good knowing Urban Meyer is the OSU football coach now--go bucks!(Gerard's review, rating 5++ stars)...more

One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf is really, really good! It is fast-paced and realistic contemporary fiction with characters that are very believaOne Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf is really, really good! It is fast-paced and realistic contemporary fiction with characters that are very believable. It grabbed my attention right from the start and never let me go! The hostage situation at the small school in a fictional small town in Iowa is described so well, I could feel what the characters were feeling. It kept me guessing who the gunman was right until he was revealed. I’m sure because this story is told from five different people, there is at least one that you will identify with. For me, I identified with the teacher—determined to protect her students from the gunman while thinking about her husband. The teen girl’s unwavering desire to protect her brother was both touching and heartwarming. It shows how a crisis can bring families closer. I highly recommend One Breath Away—it even has a dog in it! (Karen's review)

In One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf, a lone gunman takes over a small classroom holding the teacher and pupils hostage. What made this book so good in my opinion is that it is told by five people as the novel is ongoing. I got to know their thought and background to understand what led up to this point. The writing is superb. If you want riveting, this is it! I could hardly put it down and kept saying how good it was while reading it. Oh, and good luck trying to figure out who the gunman is—I was completely surprised! To sum it up, it doesn’t get any better than this—don’t let this one get past you! (Gerard's review)...more

WOW! "One Shot at Forever" by Chris Ballard is a really, really good people book! It is also a good baseball book. It is the true story of a small HigWOW! "One Shot at Forever" by Chris Ballard is a really, really good people book! It is also a good baseball book. It is the true story of a small High School and a bunch of farm boys with a very cool coach. Against all odds, they have a chance to win the state championship. I loved the team--what a great bunch of boys! The games are very exciting to say the least. The best part of the book is years later when the coach talks to all the guys and they look back on the year they had. I got into this book right away. It's all good--you will be glad you read this one!(Gerard's review)

One Shot at Forever by Chris Ballad is an enjoyable true story about a small rural town high school baseball team that no one wanted to coach until Sweet, the new hippie English teacher reluctantly volunteered. With his laid back attitude, unconventional methods and philosophy of keeping it fun he proved that his coaching style could produce a winning team. This is a baseball book that takes you inside the inner workings of a ball team and lets you know how the coach thinks and also the players. This was a coach that was there for his players and it wasn't about his ego.

My favorite player was John Heneberry, the pitcher who couldn't throw a fast ball. I thought the coach was a funny guy and really admired how he motivated his players and brought out the best in them. The accounts of the tournament games were well done and tugged at my heart. I couldn't help but feel the Macon Hawks was my team. It's a heartwarming story about the cohesiveness of a ball team and how the town rallied around them. I loved after Sweet retired, he made his land into a wildlife preserve! I recommend this book to anyone who likes baseball. (Karen's review)...more

I am a Cleveland Browns fan so when I heard our Quarterback is a Christian and wrote a book about his life, I wanted to read it. I was surprised to fiI am a Cleveland Browns fan so when I heard our Quarterback is a Christian and wrote a book about his life, I wanted to read it. I was surprised to find that his dad wrote some of it as well. This was an interesting read because Colt and his dad share very personal experiences from Colt's childhood and also how his training growing up helped him to become the leader and the role model that he is today. Brad, his dad, shared four main principles of parenting while balancing discipline and love:

1. Prepare the kid for the path, not the path for the kid.2. Prepare your children to do their best.3. Prepare your children to be leaders.4. Prepare your children for open and closed doors.

I also thought the lessons Colt said he learned were very good, such as always finish what you start, treat everyone with respect, listen to advice from those more experienced than you and relax because "the hay is in the barn."

It was nice to read about someone who walks with God and didn't make a lot of bad choices that messed up their life. I think the book balances his childhood training, football games, and his walk with the Lord well. I enjoyed learning so much about Colt through this book. He's definitely a leader with character and I am happy he is our Quarterback! I recommend it to parents, all Browns fans and anyone who is interested in football. ...more

Stacy Bess, a teacher who taught homeless children at a family shelter, a school with no name, shares about her experience and her love for the studenStacy Bess, a teacher who taught homeless children at a family shelter, a school with no name, shares about her experience and her love for the students. Not only did she teach them, but they taught her as well about love and what it is like being homeless. This book gives insight into the effects homelessness has on children and challenges the reader to get involved and take action to show love to others and make the world a better place. Stacey Bess was put in a unique teaching situation and rose to the challenge.

Here is a quote that I think sums up her whole point of the book from page 96:

"But we can't impose our own goals, wishes, or help on anyone. We can only teach, support, and love. We give them more opportunities, more choices. Then we love them regardless of the choices they make, hoping that they will learn to make better ones in the future."

I think any teacher would find this book inspiring and anyone who has compassion for the homeless would certainly find this interesting. I loved the movie "Beyond the Chalkboard" which is based on this book. At the end of the book, she has an extensive list of different ideas on how people can get more involved by serving others....more

I liked this book because it gave some really good information about exercising in general, about how the muscles, tendons and ligaments all work in aI liked this book because it gave some really good information about exercising in general, about how the muscles, tendons and ligaments all work in addition to some good exercises and instructions for developing a personal exercise program. Blank worksheets are included to help the reader set specific goals, manage stress, and record progress in workouts. This is a short book but packed with helpful and interesting information on strength training specifically for people over 50. It also includes several different scenarios from real clients he worked with who had different problems so the reader can see how to tailor a personal workout program.

To answer the excuse of having no time, Michael Fekete says on pg. 122:

Put your priorities in order. Eliminate the useless, the unproductive, and the nonsensical. You will be surprised at the amount of time freed up for training. The time you allot to exercise is your best investment. If you think that you cannot make time for exercise now, then be sure to make plenty of time for illnesses and hospitals later.

I highly recommend Strength Training For Seniors by Michael Fekete!...more

I’m Out numbered!: One Mom’s Lessons in the Lively Art of Raising Boys by Laura Lee Groves is a good little handbook for moms (and dads) of boys. I goI’m Out numbered!: One Mom’s Lessons in the Lively Art of Raising Boys by Laura Lee Groves is a good little handbook for moms (and dads) of boys. I got this because I teach 5th grade boys in Sunday School and thought it may be helpful. She kept the chapters short because she knows moms are very busy so it is a quick read. She addresses many issues including expectations, laying a foundation for reading, sibling rivalry, teaching respect, organizing, media, teaching responsibility, and communication. Also included is a special chapter for dads, for single moms, and one from the boys themselves! Laura Groves also includes an extensive list of recommended books that deal with related topics that she wrote about in this book.

I think this book would be helpful to any parent of boys especially. It is sprinkled with some humor and scripture which makes it a very enjoyable and interesting read. I liked it and am not even a parent but this book makes parenting sound like lots of fun! As I was reading, I kept thinking of different mothers I know who may benefit from reading this. Some general advice from I’m outnumbered! is to let boys be creative, don’t let them hurt each other, don’t play favorites, give them all a chance to be leaders and promote teamwork, treat them as individuals, love them no matter what they do or don’t do, teach them manners by challenging them to be honorable like knights.

I’m Outnumbered! would make a great gift for parents of boys. I highly recommend this book and can’t say enough good about it....more

You Already Know How To Be Great by Alan Fine is a model for performing at your full capacity and helping others do the same. The author, Alan Fine, hYou Already Know How To Be Great by Alan Fine is a model for performing at your full capacity and helping others do the same. The author, Alan Fine, has served as a performance coach to corporate executives, top athletes and musicians. He shares his very practical method for improving performance by increasing one's faith that they can do something, one's fire (desire) and one's focus by decreasing the interference (obstacle) that is hurting the performance. Sometimes we know what we want to do and even how to do it but we are lacking in at least one of those areas; thus, not performing to our full capacity. You Already Know How To Be Great has questions at the end of each chapter to help you apply the principles plus even a cute picture of an on-line community reminder.

I really liked the examples he gave to illustrate how his model can be used in parenting, teaching, sports. Alan Fine gives the reader dialogue of specific training sessions. I felt like a little mouse getting to listen in. In this book you can learn the G.R.O.W. method to use in reaching decisions quickly and making meetings meaningful.

I recommend You Already Know How to Be Great as a reference book to anyone who wants to improve their performance in any area of their life or who is in a leadership position and seeks to help others improve performance. ...more

If you are a parent of a young boy or girl who is really good at basketball, you should read Play Their Hearts Out by George Dohrmann. I think the boyIf you are a parent of a young boy or girl who is really good at basketball, you should read Play Their Hearts Out by George Dohrmann. I think the boy or girl would like this too! "Play Their Hearts Out gives the reader an inside look at AAU basketball--the traveling All-Star teams. The focus is on Joe Keller, the coach and Demetrius Walker, the star player, but there is much more than just the games and the scores. I really enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected I would. It was eight years in the making, and it shows. A truly great read! Take a bow, Mr. Dohrmann, you deserve it!...more

Season Of Life by Jeffrey Marx is a inspirational book that I highly recommend to any man, teen boy, parent, coach or teacher. It does not read like aSeason Of Life by Jeffrey Marx is a inspirational book that I highly recommend to any man, teen boy, parent, coach or teacher. It does not read like a text book at all. I really enjoyed following the High School Football team through the eyes of the author. Joe Erhmann is an example of a Godly man putting God’s Word into practice. Season of Life is all about teaching boys to become men. The author learns to improve his relationship with his father through watching Joe Erhmann model the basic strategic masculinity principles he learned from God’s Word as he teaches them to the high school football team he coaches.

Jeffrey Marx looked up to Joe as a football player when Jeffrey was just a kid and connected with him again as a man. Joe had a father who was always telling him to “be a man” and would punch him and tell him to be tough, that real men don’t cry. He was into the “false masculinity” mindset of athletic ability, sexual conquest and economic success until his brother died. While waiting at the hospital during his brother’s illness, he came across a poem that impacted his life by Edwin Markhm:

There is a destiny that makes us brothers;None goes his way alone:All that we send into the lives of othersComes back into our own.

Then he searched for some real meaning to life and through talking to the team’s unofficial Chaplain and studying the Bible God transformed him into a devout Christian. Joe became a minister and a high school football coach whose program included “building men for others.”

He came to the realization that masculinity is all about relationships, being focused on others, and a code of conduct that includes accepting responsibility, leading courageously, enacting justice on behalf of others and empathy. From here on he not only models these principles but also teaches them to the boys on his football team.

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch is a popular book full of good advice for living written by a terminally ill cancer patient, a husband of 8 years andThe Last Lecture by Randy Pausch is a popular book full of good advice for living written by a terminally ill cancer patient, a husband of 8 years and father to three young children. Randy Pausch if a college professor who lived a full life and had an optimistic attitude. He gives lots of tips that parents could find useful. The book has lots of good advice in it and I highly recommend it. The actual “last Lecture” can be viewed at www.thelastlecture.com. ...more

This book is very informative and practical for learning about dogs and how to train them. It is geared to kids but I liked it too because it's easy tThis book is very informative and practical for learning about dogs and how to train them. It is geared to kids but I liked it too because it's easy to read and very attractive with lots of colored pages and pictures. It gives step-by-step instructions for teaching dogs specific commands and checklists to evaluate if the dog has mastered the trick. It also includes some game suggestions for playing with your dog. I give it 4 paws up!...more

This is a short book of inspiring stories from various teachers (and some students). I found it to be encouraging, inspirational and interesting and rThis is a short book of inspiring stories from various teachers (and some students). I found it to be encouraging, inspirational and interesting and recommend it to any teacher. I think it would make a great gift for someone who is just going in to teaching....more

This book is inspirational to both teachers and students. It is written by high schoolers who were considered "losers" by the school administration ofThis book is inspirational to both teachers and students. It is written by high schoolers who were considered "losers" by the school administration of Wilson High, a racially integrated school in Long Beach, California. No one expected them to graduate. They are teens write about their problems and how being in Erin Gruwell's class made a huge difference in their lives. It is a compilation of their journal entries. At the beginning of their freshman year, none of them expected to graduate and were just basically trying to survive another day. The language is offensive and the topics they write about include gangs, killing, drinking, drugs, teenage pregnancy, abortion, depression, and rape but they wrote about their experiences. It was interesting to see their values change as the book progressed and how they really got to like each other and turned their lives around, thanks to their English teacher going way above and beyond the "call of duty." Whereas at the beginning they saw each other only in terms of race, at the end they saw each other as all human beings and friends.

When I graduated from high school, I was just glad to be out. It was just assumed everyone would graduate. It was enlightening for me to see how happy these kids were about graduating and what a huge accomplishment it was for them. What struck me as very unusual though was that they all kept the same English teacher for all four years. No wonder they were like a "family." Teachers certainly can learn from Erin's optimism, determination, perseverance and methods. I look forward to reading the book she wrote, Teach With Your Heart. ...more

This is a helpful book about coaching. Every coach should read this one because there are so many practical tips that Mike shares and solid principlesThis is a helpful book about coaching. Every coach should read this one because there are so many practical tips that Mike shares and solid principles to follow. After each chapter is a summary of the main points. Mike shares from his experiences to illustrate his points in a very interesting way. ...more

This book is very helpful for anyone who wants to start blogging or who desires to learn more and improve their blog or get more traffic to their siteThis book is very helpful for anyone who wants to start blogging or who desires to learn more and improve their blog or get more traffic to their site. I recommend it....more

This is a Christian romance set in the 1800s which is the last in the Californians series by Lori Wick. I hadn't read the previous books but this oneThis is a Christian romance set in the 1800s which is the last in the Californians series by Lori Wick. I hadn't read the previous books but this one is good enough to stand on its own. Marcail's dream was to be a school teacher in her own classroom. She moved to Willits on her own to accept her first teaching position. One grandmother of a bratty boy in her class that sat on the school board and ran the town became the "thorn in her side."

When Marcail's reputation was at stake, Alex, the town doctor who was falling in love with her came to her aid. All through the book is a Christian theme of sharing the gospel with the people in this town and her relationship with Alex developing into a real marriage.

As usual in Christian fiction, everything turns out perfect in the end. I enjoyed this book which showed dependence on God throughout and that communication is key in developing trust in a relationship. It is a light, quick read that has the predictable happy ending....more

This is an autobiography of Jodee’s struggles all through school. She tries to stand up for what is right and gets shunned and ostracized. She keeps wThis is an autobiography of Jodee’s struggles all through school. She tries to stand up for what is right and gets shunned and ostracized. She keeps wanting to “fit in” but doesn’t know how without being untrue to herself. Near the end she finally gets some real friends. She takes a lot of abuse from kids who once were her friends, but deals as best she can looking forward to her future at college. I think teens would especially like this book....more

"Hurricane Season" is a true story about triumph through hardship for a private Christian school's football team in New Orleans overcoming the devasta"Hurricane Season" is a true story about triumph through hardship for a private Christian school's football team in New Orleans overcoming the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and Rita. This book takes a personal look at the devastation that Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita caused within six weeks. It's about a High School football coach's and his players’ commitment to their school and team in midst of chaos and turmoil. It's about how football can pull a community together. I particularly liked reading how the coach motivated his players and how he taught them to be men. It was heartwarming to see how much the coach loved his players and cared about their personal lives and not just how they played football.

The ending of the book is very moving and emotional when the team finally gets to play football after it looked like they wouldn't even have a season. As I read about the games, it felt like I was right there in the stands watching and cheering for them. This book started out slow and was pretty sad, but is definitely worth reading to get an inside look at what the people of New Orleans went through during Katrina and how a football team really jelled. It certainly made my few problems look totally insignificant in comparison. ...more

This book went through various questions about succeeding in life and listed all the responses from each coach. It was interesting but somewhat repetiThis book went through various questions about succeeding in life and listed all the responses from each coach. It was interesting but somewhat repetitive in that many said basically the same thing. I enjoyed reading this book because it had a lot of good advice from a lot of successful coaches. The advice I remember most is to work harder than anyone else, never quit, always be honest, do your best, failure is opportunity for a comeback, and be passionate about what you do. All of them agreed that making a lot of money does not mean you are successful, but money can be a by-product of being successful. The last chapter included short summaries about each coach.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in philosophy, or who is looking for some advice or inspiration about success.

Inner city basketball team coached by Bob Hurley —best high school coach in small, broken down parochial school. Kids all had problems and he taught cInner city basketball team coached by Bob Hurley —best high school coach in small, broken down parochial school. Kids all had problems and he taught character and perseverance as well as basketball. Coaching tips:

*Always keep the bar high and require respect.*Never let anyone slide—keep on them all the time.*Coach all the players, not just the best.*Make kids earn your respect and ignore them until they do.*Give everyone a role—even those on the bench.*Use drastic measures (wrestling practice) to punish sloppy playing.*Use the drastic measure practice for motivating in the future.*Let the players experience the glory, keep low profile as coach.*Help players make good decisions concerning their futures.

This book was very interesting and inspirational. Although it was slow at times, it's definitely worth the read.